JetBlue Joins The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials

-- As the First U.S. Airline Member, JetBlue Joins this Coalition of
Global Companies to Research the Sustainability of Aviation Biofuels --

February 25, 2016 03:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq:JBLU) today announced it has joined The
Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). As the first U.S. airline
member, JetBlue joins 100 other like-minded organizations in creating a
market and standard for sustainable biomass and bio-based products. The
RSB is an independent and global multi-stakeholder coalition which works
to promote the sustainability of biomaterials. JetBlue will participate
in discussions relating to the aviation sector.

“Biofuels are inevitable for the future of the aviation industry. We
know we have to start laying the groundwork today as an investment in
our future,” said Sophia Mendelsohn, head of sustainability, JetBlue.
“In order to make this work, businesses globally need to join together
for a low-carbon future.”

The airline is actively researching alternative fuel sources and firmly
believes in their necessity to secure the future of the aviation
industry. JetBlue has committed to a biofuels plan in 2017 that will
bring future biofuels to JetBlue and create cooperation among commercial
carriers. With RSB’s guidance, JetBlue will join a consortium of
corporate citizens and airlines pursuing multiple sources of biofuels
that minimize unwanted environmental and social impacts throughout their
supply-chain and life-cycle.

“JetBlue is joining The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials as
renewable biofuels will become increasingly more important for aviation
to continue to grow responsibly,” Mendelsohn said. “Science has given us
drop-in biofuels, which means there will be no change to our engines or
systems – and no compromise to safety. There are no silver bullets when
it comes to finding the right biofuel, so we are reaching out for
partners; we are all in this together.”

In 2016, JetBlue began actively exploring the purchase of biofuel
options for commercial use and was the only airline to sign the White
House’s 2015 American Business Act on Climate Pledge, highlighting its
support for an international climate agreement toward a low-carbon,
sustainable future. JetBlue also pledged to reduce global emissions from
commercial air travel in partnership with aircraft and engine
manufacturers, the Federal Aviation Administration, and others.

“RSB is the world’s strongest standard for sustainable biofuels. JetBlue
is a leader in global aviation and by joining RSB, JetBlue is further
demonstrating its leadership by committing to using sustainable fuels in
its operations,” said Rolf Hogan, executive director, The Roundtable on
Sustainable Biomaterials. “We look forward to seeing other airlines
follow JetBlue’s commitment and leadership by becoming members of RSB.”

JetBlue has already pledged to:

Support and invest in new technology to decrease flight emissions
through more efficient operations. JetBlue has already committed
approximately $20 million for mandated technology and will continue to
supplement that effort for additional investment of $30 million for
capabilities in data and long-range satellite based communications to
improve flying efficiency. With these investments JetBlue aims to save
over 500,000 gallons of fuel burn per year within 30% of our schedule
operation. This objective and more emissions savings will be possible
if the Federal Aviation Administration complements our investment with
infrastructure, procedural changes and controller training in the
Caribbean region.

Act on and contribute to industry-wide goals to improve fuel
efficiency by 1.5% per year from 2009 to 2020; target a cap on net
aviation CO2 emissions from 2020 (carbon-neutral growth); and reduce
net aviation CO2 emissions of 50% by 2050, relative to 2005 levels.

Develop a biofuel commitment in 2017 for use in our regular commercial
operations in the future.

Transition our wholly-owned ground service equipment to electric
ground service equipment where it is safe for our airport operations.

JetBlue’s Sustainability Focus - JetBlue believes in
communicating transparently about climate change. The airline is
committed to taking steps to address the emission of greenhouse gases
(GHGs) from its flights and JetBlue empowers and inspires its customers
and crewmembers to offset GHG emissions when they fly. The airline is
constantly looking for ways to become more fuel efficient and embrace
efficient technologies. For example, JetBlue planes feature Airbus'
Sharklets, which improve aerodynamics and cut fuel burn and emissions.
For more on JetBlue’s work to reduce emissions, visit jetblue.com/green.

AboutJetBlue

JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™ and a leading carrier in Boston,
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando and San
Juan. JetBlue carries more than 32 million customers a year to 95 cities
in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 900 daily
flights. For more information, please visit JetBlue.com.

About the RSB

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) is an independent and
global multi-stakeholder coalition which works to promote the
sustainability of biomaterials. RSB’s user-friendly certification scheme
is the strongest and most trusted of its kind. It verifies that
biomaterials are ethical, sustainable and credibly-sourced. The
certification is approved by RSB’s members, including leading NGOs and
UN agencies. RSB members work across sectors to set global best practice
for sustainable biomaterial production. Choosing RSB-certified
biomaterials helps build trust and credibility in the bio-based sector
and supports a healthy bio-based community. www.rsb.org